FINANCIAL
SECURITY
We approach financial security as more than income.
It's stability.
It's opportunity.
It's removing barriers before they become setbacks.
United Way works to create communities where families have the resources and opportunities they need to build financially secure futures.
Here on the Lakeshore, we've listened to our community, examined local data, and identified Housing Stability as one of United Way of the Lakeshore's three priority areas for 2026–2029.
Because when a family has a safe, stable place to call home, they have a stronger foundation for everything that comes next.
HOUSING STABILITY: OUR LOCAL PRIORITY
A stable home creates a foundation for a stable future.
Housing affects nearly every part of a family's financial security. When too much income goes toward rent, utilities, or other housing costs, there is less available for food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, savings, and unexpected expenses.
Across the Lakeshore, approximately 24% of renters are housing cost-burdened, placing significant pressure on household budgets.
That's why United Way of the Lakeshore has made Housing Stability a priority for our 2026–2029 community impact strategy.
Our goal isn't simply to respond when someone loses housing. We want to strengthen the systems, partnerships, and resources that help families prevent housing instability and achieve safe, stable housing.
HOW WE'RE WORKING TOWARD HOUSING STABILITY
Creating housing stability takes all of us. United Way of the Lakeshore works alongside nonprofit organizations, housing providers, community leaders, local government, funders, and people with lived experience to strengthen our community's response to housing instability.
Investing in Solutions
Through Community Investment, United Way invests in programs and strategies that help individuals and families achieve greater housing stability. Our investments are tied to shared outcomes so we can better understand the difference those resources are making for individuals, families, and our community.
Funded Programs & Partners Coming Soon! - Program Determinations to Be Released in December.
Strengthening the Housing Response System
United Way participates in and supports collaborative efforts addressing homelessness and housing instability, including our work with the local Continuum of Care. By bringing organizations and community partners together, we can better identify gaps, coordinate resources, and strengthen our collective response.
Connecting People to Resources
When someone needs help, knowing where to turn matters. United Way supports connections to community resources, including Michigan 2-1-1, helping individuals and families identify available housing, utility, food, financial, and other assistance.
Mobilizing Volunteers
Community members can be part of the solution, too. United Way mobilizes volunteers around housing and homelessness initiatives, including the annual Point-in-Time Count and other projects that support our community's response to housing instability.
Listening & Leading
We use community data, local partnerships, and the experiences of residents and organizations to better understand housing challenges across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. What we learn helps inform our investments, partnerships, advocacy, and future strategies.
WHAT WE'RE WORKING TOWARD
Our goal is to help create a community where more individuals and families can find and maintain safe, stable housing without sacrificing other basic needs.
Through our investments, partnerships, and community leadership, we're focused on creating measurable change in three areas:
Greater Housing Stability
More individuals and families are able to obtain and maintain stable housing for six months or longer.
Fewer Housing Crises
Individuals and families experience fewer instances of housing instability, displacement, or eviction.
Stronger Household Financial Stability
Households increase the income or resources they have available after meeting their housing costs, creating more room for other basic needs and unexpected expenses.
MEASURING OUR IMPACT
We believe meaningful investment should lead to meaningful results.
United Way of the Lakeshore works with our funded partners to measure progress toward shared housing outcomes across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
We look beyond how many people receive a service to understand what changed because of that support.
That means looking at measures such as:
How many individuals and families obtain or maintain stable housing
How long households are able to remain stably housed
Whether housing instability, displacement, or eviction is reduced
Whether households have greater financial stability after meeting their housing costs
These shared outcomes help United Way and our partners understand what's working, identify where gaps remain, and make informed decisions about where community resources can have the greatest impact.